Cheek Muffs

ABSTRACT

There is provided a face cheek covering device to be worn over the face cheeks of the individual and to extend over, above or below the ears and around the back of the individual&#39;s neck or over the head. The covering device is formed by a frame having a flexible band and two face cheek cups on each end. The band is contemplated to be flexible so that the space between opposite face cheek cup members may be adjusted to permit attachment of the covering device over, above or below the ears and around the back of the individual&#39;s neck or over the head. The spring force of the flexible band causes engagement of the covering device over the face cheeks of the individual with the flexible band wrapping around the back of the individual&#39;s neck or over the head. A frame forms the face cheek cup. Fabric covers the frame and band. Suitable materials are provided in order to create a comfortable feeling, as well as provide warmth and protection for the face cheeks. The band of the face cheek cups may also be hinged or flexible to permit collapsing of the covering device when not in use.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a covering to be worn over and to protect the face cheeks of an individual. The covering is intended to extend over, above or below the ears and around the back of the individual's neck or over the head of the individual when being worn.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Relating to the variations that cover the ears, there are a number of prior devices which cover an individual's ears for warmth or the like. These devices, generally known as “ear muffs”, are represented in part by U.S. Pat. No. 3,249,949 to Rosenberg et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,509,580 to Rubenstein et al, and by U.S. Pat. No. 5,835,609 to LeGette, et al. These prior ear muffs and ear protection devices are generally related to coverings of only the ears for warmth and protection.

Despite the existence of various types of ear muffs, headbands and face masks, there remains a need for a face cheek protection device having the advantages of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a covering device to be worn over the face cheeks of an individual. Preferably, the covering device extends to the face cheeks over, above or below the ears and around the back of the individual's neck or over the head.

One embodiment of the covering device of the present invention includes a flexible band which is positioned between two face cheek cups. The band includes a central curved portion and two end portions. The face cheek cups are attached to the end portions of the band and project therefrom. A fabric is used to cover at least the central opening of the face cheek cups so as to form a covering for the face cheeks.

The fabric which covers the face cheek covering device may cover both the face cheek cups and the band. The face cheek cups may also be hingedly connected to the ends of the band and the band may be collapsible.

Another embodiment of the covering device of the present invention includes a band having two curved portions with one end of each curved band portion overlapping and slidably attached to the other curved band portion such that the relative overall length of the band may be adjusted. Two face cheek cup portions are attached to the free ends of the curved portions.

Another embodiment of the covering device of the present invention incorporates ear coverings. The band may either be fitted over the top of the individual's head, as in with more traditional ear muffs, or the band may also extend around the back of the individual's head, as in with various wraparound ear protection devices.

The invention is centric to the face cheek covering, regardless of the band configuration or incorporation of ear covering variations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings a form which is presently preferred; it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

FIG. 1 shows one form of the covering device contemplated by the present invention as being worn by an individual. This form is for face cheek protection and warmth only, while being secured by a band below the ears and around the neck. (optional nose and chin straps not depicted, see FIG. 7 ).

FIG. 2 shows a profile view of a face cheek covering device relating to FIG. 1 contemplated by the present invention. (optional nose and chin straps not depicted, see FIG. 7 ).

FIG. 3 shows a back view of a face cheek covering relating to FIG. 1 contemplated by the present invention. (optional nose and chin straps not depicted, see FIG. 7 ).

FIG. 4 shows one form of the covering device contemplated by the present invention as being worn by an individual. This form is for face cheek protection and warmth only, while being secured by a band above the ears and around the back of the head. (optional nose and chin straps not depicted, see FIG. 7 ).

FIG. 5 shows a profile view of a face cheek covering device relating to FIG. 4 contemplated by the present invention. (optional nose and chin straps not depicted, see FIG. 7 ).

FIG. 6 shows a back view of a face cheek covering device relating to FIG. 4 contemplated by the present invention. (optional nose and chin straps not depicted, see FIG. 7 ).

FIG. 7 shows optional attachments to cover the nose and the chin. These attachments are contemplated to be available for any and all variations and embodiments. These attachments may be connected via snaps, buttons, Velcro, or other securing mechanism. NOTE: the black dots near the nose and chin on all variations show the optional attachment connection point whether the attachments are depicted in the figure or not.

FIG. 8 shows a front view of the variation to which ear coverings are incorporated while being secured by a band around the neck or back of the head. (optional nose and chin straps not depicted, see FIG. 7 ).

FIG. 9 shows a profile view of a face cheek and ear covering variation device relating to FIG. 8 contemplated by the present invention. (optional nose and chin straps depiction included, see FIG. 7 ).

FIG. 10 shows a front view of the variation to which ear coverings are incorporated while being secured by a band over the top of the head. (optional nose and chin straps depiction included, see FIG. 7 ).

FIG. 11 shows a profile view of a face cheek and ear covering variation device relating to FIG. 10 contemplated by the present invention. (optional nose and chin straps depiction included, see FIG. 7 ).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The face cheeks covering device generally includes a band portion and two face cheek protection and warming portions. The face cheeks covering device is illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 , & 3. It is contemplated that variations and embodiments on this design may be made without departing from the essence of the present invention.

Variations and embodiments, as illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5 , & 6, may also incorporate ear coverings.

The frame and band may generally be constructed of any number of materials, with the band being adjustable to fit varying individual sizes. Variations and embodiments of the band may be made without departing from the essence of the present invention.

The spring force of the flexible band causes engagement of the covering device over the face cheeks of the individual with the flexible band wrapping around the back of the individual's neck or over the head.

Variations and embodiments of any number of traditional ear muffs may be incorporated without departing from the essence of the present invention. 

I claim:
 1. A covering device to be worn over the face cheeks of an individual and extend over, above or below the ears around and the back of the individual's neck or over the head, comprising: a hinged or flexible band, the band having a central curved portion and two end portions, the band having an inner side facing towards the individual and having an outer side facing away from the individual; two face cheek cups, one face cheek cup attached to each end portion of the band, the face cheek cups having an inner side facing towards the individual and having an outer side facing away from the individual;
 2. The face cheek covering device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flexible connection between the end portions and the band is formed by flexible material or a living hinge.
 3. A covering device to be worn over the face cheeks of an individual and extending over, above or below the ears and around the back of the individual's neck or over the head, comprising: a band having a central curved portion and two straight end portions, two face cheek cups attached to the opposite end portions of the band, directing the face cheek cups inwardly towards the individuals face from opposite side, which is the back and side of the individual's head and/or neck.
 6. A covering device as claimed in claims 1 and 3, wherein the fabric means is constructed of fabric pieces sewn with single or multiple seams.
 7. A covering device as claimed in claims 1 and 3, wherein the band directs the face cheek cups inwardly towards individual's face to maintain position of the covering device.
 8. A covering device as claimed in claims 1 and 3, wherein the covering device retains the position over, above or below the ears and around the back of the individual's neck or over the head without any support around the top of the individual's head. 